Asante Kotoko maintained their 12-point lead over Hearts of Oak after both sides played out a goalless draw in the first meeting of the season at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The draw is a good result for Kotoko who are now seven points clear at the top after the first round.
The Phobians knew they had to win to close the gap at the top and they made a great start. Hearts came close to scoring on three occasions before the 15th-minute mark.
Gladson Awako’s shot inside the area was saved by Danland Ibrahim before Sulley Muntari, his first Super Clash, went for the spectacular from close range but his effort did not hit the target and then Kwadwo Obeng Jr hit the post after a brilliant play by Afriyie Barnieh.
Kotoko, however, grew into the game and started creating decent opportunities. The best fell to in-form striker Mbella Etouga who connected to Salifu Mudasiru’s dinked cross but Richard Attah pulled off a great save.
It was the opposite in the second half as Kotoko pinned Hearts back and came very close to scoring on two occasions. Richmond Lamptey received a brilliant pass but shot straight at the keeper.
Minutes later he shot straight again, but this time it nearly beat Attah. The Black Stars goalkeeper spilled it and with the ball heading into the net, he stretched to palm it away.
Muntari ran out of gas and was replaced by Frederick Ansah Botchway, who in the closing stages hit a powerful strike from long range but ball was always rising.
The second round starts next weekend with Kotoko welcoming Dreams to Kumasi while Hearts of Oak play Legon Cities.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana